Fake Pals Are Better At Hitting On Women

WSJ – Jan 6 - Thomas Edwards, runs a service called "The Professional Wingman." For a fee of $125, Mr. Edwards accompanies his clients to the event and posed as their good pal. Susan Baxter, founder of "Hire a Boston Wingwoman," says she launched her business specifically because her friends were fatigued by online dating. Ms. Baxter, whose fees start at $130, insists that clients who go out with a pro have better odds of success than those who troll with an untrained male buddy. Often, the friend "says stupid stuff, like 'my friend thinks you're hot,'" she says. Josh Mitchell started his Indianapolis wingwoman service, "Miss Pivot," last year after attending an event for young entrepreneurs. Mr. Mitchell now runs Miss Pivot with a team of five friends, including a "head coach," plus eight freelance "pivots" for hire at $45 to $65 an hour. For the dates, the pivots generally stay away from nightclubs, and go to bookstores, coffee shops or pubs.

by Jennifer Levitz
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